Six Illini Named 2021 Team Captains

Kramer, Hansen and Hayes - first three-time captains in Illinois football history.

Illinois Athletics Communication

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois football team named six captains for the 2021 season: Tony Adams, Owen Carney Jr., Jake Hansen, Blake Hayes, Doug Kramer, and Vederian Lowe. The captains were selected by a vote of the players.

Courtesy Illinois Football

Kramer, Hansen, and Hayes were named captains for the third consecutive year, marking the first three-time captains in Illinois program history.

Tony Adams

  • Fourth-year starting defensive back
  • First-time team captain
  • 2021 Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten fourth team

Owen Carney Jr.

  • First-time team captain
  • 2021 Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten first team
  • 2021 Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten second team
  • Represented Illinois at Big Ten Media Days

Jake Hansen

  • Fourth-year starting linebacker
  • Three-time team captain
  • 2021 Phil Steele Preseason All-American fourth team
  • 2021 Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten first team
  • 2021 Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten second team
  • 2021 PFF Preseason All-Big Ten third team

Blake Hayes

  • Fifth-year starting punter
  • Three-time team captain
  • 2021 PFF Preseason All-Big Ten second team
  • 2021 Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten third team
  • 2021 Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten third team
  • 2019 Big Ten Punter of the Year

Doug Kramer

  • Fourth-year starting center
  • Three-time team captain
  • 2021 PFF Preseason All-America honorable mention
  • 2021 PFF Preseason All-Big Ten second team
  • 2021 Rimington Award watch list
  • 2021 Outland Trophy watch list
  • 2021 Rotary Lombardi Award watch list
  • Represented Illinois at Big Ten Media Days

Vederian Lowe

  • Fifth-year starting offensive lineman
  • First-time team captain
  • 2021 Outland Trophy watch list
  • Represented Illinois at Big Ten Media Days

 

Podcasts

Sturdy’s Illini Hoops Thoughts & More - #513

Listen

Illini Mistakes Costly in 34-16 Loss to Ohio State #512

Listen

IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular - #1 tOSU at #17 Illini - S5Ep9 - 10.10.25

Listen

I on the Illini - The B1G & Private Equity with Tony Altimore #511

Listen

I on the Illini - Illini Football Preview - Ohio State - #510

Listen

Illini Defeat Purdue on the Road 43-27 - #509

Listen

IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular - Illini FB Beats USC on to Purdue, BB & Game Predictions - 10.3.25 - S5E8

Listen

I on the Illini - Illini FB Preview: Purdue #508

Listen

I on the Illini LIVE/Illini Central Postgame - Redemption Win Over USC - #507

Listen

Indiana Loss, USC Preview and Hoops Update S5Ep7 9.26.25

Listen

Illini Football Preview - USC - #506

Listen

Heat Checks & Hail Marys – 6 Days to ?

Listen

Illini Nuked by Hoosiers 63-10 - #505

Listen

Illini vs Indiana, 2025-26 Illini Hoops Schedule, Game Predictions & More - S5Ep6

Listen

2025-26 Illini B1G Basketball Schedule - #504

Listen

Subscriber Testimonials:

"I am a member of three different paid sites, [but] I wanted to tell you that the collective insight from the leadership of this place is second to none.  
 
It is remarkable how often I feel like I know what is going to happen before it happens. I am so appreciative of the obvious hard work that you guys are giving ....
 
You guys, in a short time, have shown me that you are the best at what you do."
Join the conversation here!

Not a member? Join our mailing list:

© 2025 LMBC Sports, LLC. All rights reserved. 

Use of any part of this site constitutes express acceptance of the Site Terms. LMBC Sports, LLC, including its Illini Guys website, is an independent media organization, and is not affiliated with the University of Illinois.